The station, began broadcasting on 16 March 1976 - the same day as Prime Minister Harold Wilson resigned. The station had a mini-scoop, breaking the news over an hour before BBC Radio Ulster.
Initially, Downtown was only contracted to broadcast to the Greater Belfast area,. However, following the collapse of plans for a station in the Derry region (Northside Sound) in 1983, Downtown applied to the former Independent Broadcasting Authority to extend its coverage.
In December 2012 Downtown opened a small studio in Derry ahead of the UK City of Culture Year situated in the Food Quarter within Foyleside Shopping Centre. It remains open in use, mainly at the weekend with presenter-led programming on Saturday afternoon and Sunday covering a range of events in the region.
It is notable for being one of the few Independent Local Radio stations to still cater for minority tastes such as gospel and jazz.